28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You put me first in your thoughts;

and let your actions follow.

You bring love and comfort to me;

and never become depleted.

You wipe away my tears

and make me whole!

Let me step out of the way,

fill me with your strength!

Let your will be done!  I am yours!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 25:6-10

• How has God been a hero in your life? Share a time when God swooped in and saved the day, wiped away tears and all rejoiced.
• What is the veil Isaiah speaks of in this scripture? What is it that veils you from seeing God clearly?
• Does this scripture reassure you or scare you?

 Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

• What reassurance do you have that God will supply you with all you need?
• What is the secret of living in abundance with nothing? Does St Paul give you any indications how he does it?

 Matthew 22:1-14

• Where do you find the parallels in this scripture and the kingdom of God?
• When have you ignored an invitation? What were your reasons for not accepting?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What is impressive about a banquet feast?
• What would you wear to a banquet feast? How would act?  Are there different rules for a banquet feast than for a typical meal?
• How does God feed us still today? What is the choice wine and rich food?
• When have you turned to God asking for strength? Did He give it?
• Share examples of times when human strength is not enough; only God’s strength can persevere.
• Can God be found in every circumstance? Why or why not?  Consider some possibilities.
• Define abundance. What does it look like to live in abundance according to God?
• Have you ever been a host of a gathering when attendance was low? How did you feel?  What were some of your obstacles?
• Have you ever been a host of a gathering when attendance was high? How did you feel?  What were some of your obstacles?
• What do clothes have to do with acceptance?
• Who makes the rules about what is appropriate dress for specific tasks? Where do you learn these rules?
• What do you do to invite others to the feast God has prepared? Share a specific example.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You have prepared a feast for me;

 ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have set the table with fine linen;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have killed the fatted calf;

 ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have the finest wine;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have invited all to the feast;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have called me to be your beloved;

ALL:   I am humbled by your presence!

 

Challenge for the Week:  There is the saying, “you are what you eat” and when used in the context of faith, when we eat the body and blood of Christ, we become more like Jesus.  So, what do the clothes we wear, how we dress show others who we are?  If we dressed in a tunic and walked around in sandals would we be showing others that we are like Jesus?  Is this the only way?  Take time this week to think about how you dress speaks to others who you are.  What do you say with the things you wear?  Are you over dressed?  Are you under-dressed?  Do you dress differently for holidays or other special occasions?  How do you dress when you go to church?  What do these different outfits say about you?  Say about the event you are attending?  Is the message you send in line with who you are and what you believe?  Are you comfortable with the message you send out to the world?  How do these questions pertain to God?  What do you think God believes about what we wear?  Something to think about.